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Huster D, Maiti S, Herrmann A. Phospholipid Membranes as Chemically and Functionally Tunable Materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312898. [PMID: 38456771 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The sheet-like lipid bilayer is the fundamental structural component of all cell membranes. Its building blocks are phospholipids and cholesterol. Their amphiphilic structure spontaneously leads to the formation of a bilayer in aqueous environment. Lipids are not just structural elements. Individual lipid species, the lipid membrane structure, and lipid dynamics influence and regulate membrane protein function. An exciting field is emerging where the membrane-associated material properties of different bilayer systems are used in designing innovative solutions for widespread applications across various fields, such as the food industry, cosmetics, nano- and biomedicine, drug storage and delivery, biotechnology, nano- and biosensors, and computing. Here, the authors summarize what is known about how lipids determine the properties and functions of biological membranes and how this has been or can be translated into innovative applications. Based on recent progress in the understanding of membrane structure, dynamics, and physical properties, a perspective is provided on how membrane-controlled regulation of protein functions can extend current applications and even offer new applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Huster
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16/18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sudipta Maiti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Colaba, Mumbai, 400 005, India
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Freie Universität Berlin, Department Chemistry and Biochemistry, SupraFAB, Altensteinstr. 23a, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
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2
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Katke C, Pedrueza-Villalmanzo E, Spustova K, Ryskulov R, Kaplan CN, Gözen I. Colony-like Protocell Superstructures. ACS NANO 2023; 17:3368-3382. [PMID: 36795609 PMCID: PMC9979656 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c08093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We report the formation, growth, and dynamics of model protocell superstructures on solid surfaces, resembling single cell colonies. These structures, consisting of several layers of lipidic compartments enveloped in a dome-shaped outer lipid bilayer, emerged as a result of spontaneous shape transformation of lipid agglomerates deposited on thin film aluminum surfaces. Collective protocell structures were observed to be mechanically more stable compared to isolated spherical compartments. We show that the model colonies encapsulate DNA and accommodate nonenzymatic, strand displacement DNA reactions. The membrane envelope is able to disassemble and expose individual daughter protocells, which can migrate and attach via nanotethers to distant surface locations, while maintaining their encapsulated contents. Some colonies feature "exocompartments", which spontaneously extend out of the enveloping bilayer, internalize DNA, and merge again with the superstructure. A continuum elastohydrodynamic theory that we developed suggests that a plausible driving force behind subcompartment formation is attractive van der Waals (vdW) interactions between the membrane and surface. The balance between membrane bending and vdW interactions yields a critical length scale of 236 nm, above which the membrane invaginations can form subcompartments. The findings support our hypotheses that in extension of the "lipid world hypothesis", protocells may have existed in the form of colonies, potentially benefiting from the increased mechanical stability provided by a superstructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinmay Katke
- Department
of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center
for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Esteban Pedrueza-Villalmanzo
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology, Göteborg SE-412 96, Sweden
- Department
of Physics, University of Gothenburg, Universitetsplatsen 1, Gothenburg 405 30, Sweden
| | - Karolina Spustova
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ruslan Ryskulov
- Department
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers
University of Technology, Göteborg SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - C. Nadir Kaplan
- Department
of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
- Center
for Soft Matter and Biological Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Irep Gözen
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
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Schanke IJ, Xue L, Spustova K, Gözen I. Transport among protocells via tunneling nanotubes. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:10418-10427. [PMID: 35748865 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr02290g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We employ model protocell networks for evaluation of molecular transport through lipid nanotubes as potential means of communication among primitive cells on the early Earth. Network formation is initiated by deposition of lipid reservoirs onto a SiO2 surface in an aqueous environment. These reservoirs autonomously develop into surface-adhered protocells interconnected via lipid nanotubes while encapsulating solutes from the ambient buffer. We observe the uptake of DNA and RNA, and their diffusive transport between the lipid compartments via the interconnecting nanotubes. By means of an analytical model we determine key physical parameters affecting the transport, such as nanotube diameter and compartment size. We conclude that nanotube-mediated transport could have been a possible pathway of communication between primitive cells on the early Earth, circumventing the necessity for crossing the membrane barrier. We suggest this transport as a feasible means of RNA and DNA exchange under primitive prebiotic conditions, possibly facilitating early replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Jin Schanke
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Lin Xue
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Karolina Spustova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
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Wang Y, Zhang J, Gao H, Sun Y, Wang L. Lipid nanotubes: Formation and applications. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 212:112362. [PMID: 35101821 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lipids, the fundamental components of cell membrane, play important roles in the whole cycle of cell life, thus attracting worldwide attention, owing to their physicochemical property and extensive use in the applications based on lipid assemblies. Compared with liposomes, lipid nanotubes (LNTs) usually possess unique properties, such as highly ordered structure, precise molecular recognition, and the possibility of substance transport, thus providing more potential applications in different research fields. However, until now, there are still quite rare cases of LNTs successfully employed in practical applications. Bearing this in mind and based on our own experience in this field, we summarized and discussed the recent progress of the fabrication approaches and representative applications of the LNTs in the past decade, which would potentially provide basic understanding and guidance towards their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; State Key Laboratory for Marine Corrosion and Protection, Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute (LSMRI), Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Marine Corrosion and Protection, Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute (LSMRI), Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Haiping Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Marine Corrosion and Protection, Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute (LSMRI), Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Yuan Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Marine Corrosion and Protection, Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute (LSMRI), Qingdao 266237, China; Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Harbin University of Commerce, Harbin 150076, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
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Wang Z, Mao X, Wang H, Wang S, Yang Z. Fabrication of Lipid Nanotubules by Ultrasonic Drag Force. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:8945-8952. [PMID: 34297899 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This work reports a new method of fabricating lipid nanotubules using ultrasonic Stokes drag force in theory and experiment. Ultrasonic Stokes drag force generated using a planar piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer in a remotely controllable way is introduced. When ultrasonic Stokes drag force is applied on lipid vesicles, the lipid nanotubules attached can be dragged out from the lipid film. In order to demonstrate the formation mechanism of the lipid nanotubules produced by ultrasonic drag force clearly, a theoretical kinetic model is developed. In the experiments, the lipid nanotubules can be rapidly and efficiently fabricated using this ultrasonic transducer both in deionized water and NaCl solutions with different concentrations. The stretching speed of the lipid nanotubules can reach 33 μm/s, approximately 10 times faster than that of the existing methods. The formed lipid nanotubules have a diameter of 600 ± 100 nm (>80%). The length can reach the millimeter level. This work provided a remotely controllable, highly efficient, high-velocity, and solution environment-independent approach for fabricating lipid nanotubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
| | - Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
| | - Shenggeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
| | - Zengtao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
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Spustova K, Köksal ES, Ainla A, Gözen I. Subcompartmentalization and Pseudo-Division of Model Protocells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2005320. [PMID: 33230918 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202005320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Membrane enclosed intracellular compartments have been exclusively associated with the eukaryotes, represented by the highly compartmentalized last eukaryotic common ancestor. Recent evidence showing the presence of membranous compartments with specific functions in archaea and bacteria makes it conceivable that the last universal common ancestor and its hypothetical precursor, the protocell, may have exhibited compartmentalization. To the authors' knowledge, there are no experimental studies yet that have tested this hypothesis. They report on an autonomous subcompartmentalization mechanism for protocells which results in the transformation of initial subcompartments to daughter protocells. The process is solely determined by the fundamental materials properties and interfacial events, and does not require biological machinery or chemical energy supply. In the light of the authors' findings, it is proposed that similar events may have taken place under early Earth conditions, leading to the development of compartmentalized cells and potentially, primitive division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Spustova
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Elif Senem Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Alar Ainla
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Braga, 4715-330, Portugal
| | - Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0315, Norway
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
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Köksal ES, Liese S, Xue L, Ryskulov R, Viitala L, Carlson A, Gözen I. Rapid Growth and Fusion of Protocells in Surface-Adhered Membrane Networks. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2002529. [PMID: 32776465 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202002529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Elevated temperatures might have promoted the nucleation, growth, and replication of protocells on the early Earth. Recent reports have shown evidence that moderately high temperatures not only permit protocell assembly at the origin of life, but can have actively supported it. Here, the fast nucleation and growth of vesicular compartments from autonomously formed lipid networks on solid surfaces, induced by a moderate increase in temperature, are shown. Branches of the networks, initially consisting of self-assembled interconnected nanotubes, rapidly swell into microcompartments which can spontaneously encapsulate RNA fragments. The increase in temperature further causes fusion of adjacent network-connected compartments, resulting in the redistribution of the RNA. The experimental observations and the mathematical model indicate that the presence of nanotubular interconnections between protocells facilitates the fusion process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif S Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Susanne Liese
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0315, Norway
| | - Lin Xue
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
| | - Ruslan Ryskulov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Lauri Viitala
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
| | - Andreas Carlson
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0315, Norway
| | - Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0318, Norway
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, SE-412 96, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0315, Norway
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Köksal ES, Liese S, Kantarci I, Olsson R, Carlson A, Gözen I. Nanotube-Mediated Path to Protocell Formation. ACS NANO 2019; 13:6867-6878. [PMID: 31177769 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b01646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Cellular compartments are membrane-enclosed, spatially distinct microenvironments that confine and protect biochemical reactions in the biological cell. On the early Earth, the autonomous formation of compartments is thought to have led to the encapsulation of nucleotides, thereby satisfying a starting condition for the emergence of life. Recently, surfaces have come into focus as potential platforms for the self-assembly of prebiotic compartments, as significantly enhanced vesicle formation was reported in the presence of solid interfaces. The detailed mechanism of such formation at the mesoscale is still under discussion. We report here on the spontaneous transformation of solid-surface-adhered lipid deposits to unilamellar membrane compartments through a straightforward sequence of topological changes, proceeding via a network of interconnected lipid nanotubes. We show that this transformation is entirely driven by surface-free energy minimization and does not require hydrolysis of organic molecules or external stimuli such as electrical currents or mechanical agitation. The vesicular structures take up and encapsulate their external environment during formation and can subsequently separate and migrate upon exposure to hydrodynamic flow. This may link the self-directed transition from weakly organized bioamphiphile assemblies on solid surfaces to protocells with secluded internal contents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif S Köksal
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , 0318 Oslo , Norway
| | - Susanne Liese
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Oslo , 0315 Oslo , Norway
| | - Ilayda Kantarci
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , 0318 Oslo , Norway
| | - Ragni Olsson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , 0318 Oslo , Norway
| | - Andreas Carlson
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Oslo , 0315 Oslo , Norway
| | - Irep Gözen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, Faculty of Medicine , University of Oslo , 0318 Oslo , Norway
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences , University of Oslo , 0315 Oslo , Norway
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Chalmers University of Technology , SE-412 96 Göteborg , Sweden
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Hsieh WH, Liaw J. Applications of cyclic peptide nanotubes (cPNTs). J Food Drug Anal 2018; 27:32-47. [PMID: 30648586 PMCID: PMC9298616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-assembled cyclic peptide nanotubes (cPNTs) have recently drawn particular attention as one of the most intriguing nanostructures in the field of nanotechnology. Given their unique features including high surface area, increased drug loading, environmental stability, enhanced permeation, and modifiable drug release, these hollow tubular structures can be constructed with cyclic di-, tri-, tetra-, hexa-, octa-, and decapeptides with various amino acid sequences, enantiomers, and functionalized side chains and can be applied for antiviral and antibacterial drugs, drug delivery and gene delivery vectors, organic electronic devices, and ionic or molecular channels. Recent publications have presented promising results regarding the use of cPNTs as drugs or biomedical devices. However, there is an urgent need for the further in vivo nanotoxicity and safety testing of these nanotubes to evaluate their suitability in different fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsien Hsieh
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jiahorng Liaw
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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